Job Description

Posting number: 403CCY-226222-GOL

Department: Office of Juvenile Justice

Job classification: JUVENILE JUSTICE SPECIALIST 5

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Corrections, Management

Summary

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Office of Juvenile Justice

Swanson Center for Youth-Columbia

132 LA-850, Columbia, LA 71418

https://ojj.la.gov/location/swanson-center-for-youth-columbia

The Office of Juvenile Justice is seeking a dependable and experienced Juvenile Justice Specialist 5 – Shift Commander to provide leadership, oversight, and safety management within a secure-care facility. This role is ideal for a professional who excels in supervision, critical decision-making, and maintaining structured, safe operations for youth and staff.

As a Shift Commander, you’ll guide daily movement and security practices, support policy and safety initiatives, and ensure consistent documentation and communication across the shift. You’ll also participate in audits, assist with staff development, oversee emergency responses, and help maintain compliance with facility and agency standards. This position plays a key role in supporting staff performance, coordinating operational needs, and ensuring a safe, orderly environment throughout the facility.

If you’re reliable, calm under pressure, and committed to strong leadership and accountability, this role offers a meaningful opportunity to support OJJ’s mission and lead secure-care operations effectively.

Examples of duties

Possession of a high school diploma or GED or one year of experience in any field plus:

Three years of experience in a residential, correctional, behavioral health, or group home setting with responsibility for one or more of the following: rehabilitation of delinquent youth, clinical care, custody, or security; OR

Three years of experience in Probation and Parole.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.

An applicant who has been convicted of a felony or who is under indictment on a felony charge will be disqualified until relief from disabilities imposed by state and federal laws is granted.

In accordance with the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) (Part 115:17) of Title 28 of the Code of Federal Regulations an applicant who has been found to have engaged in any form of sexual abuse; engaged in sexual activity in the community facilitated by force, overt or implied threats of force, or coercion, or if the victim did not consent or was unable or refused will be disqualified.

Qualifications

The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.

Supplemental information

Job Duties:

• Supervise youth and staff movement to maintain safety, security, and proper control of doors, gates, and facility access points.
• Conduct security rounds of buildings, grounds, and fences in accordance with OJJ and facility procedures.
• Oversee daily operations including meals, education, recreation, pill call, and medical/mental-health movement.
• Prepare and review shift documentation including reports, packets, and unusual-occurrence summaries.
• Participate in ACA and PbS audits and assist with policy, SOP, and safety-program development.
• Serve as training and safety coordinator by supporting staff training, safety initiatives, and hazard-abatement tracking.
• Respond to emergencies and conduct searches of youth, staff, property, and living areas to prevent contraband.
• Manage time and attendance and complete CPM planning, evaluations, and staff development activities.
• Provide supervisory guidance through counseling, consultative sessions, and coordination with facility leadership.
• Support facility operations by remaining on 24-hour call, covering duties in the absence of senior leadership, and performing other assigned tasks.

Position-Specific Details:

Work Location:This vacancy is located at Swanson Center for Youth in Columbia, Louisiana.

Compensation Information: The Juvenile Justice Specialist 5 title has a Special Entrance Rate of $1,971.20 biweekly.

Appointment Type:Full time, probational

The incumbent of this position must not have been convicted or pled nolo contendere to a crime listed inR.S. 15:587.1 (c).

How To Apply:

No Civil Service test score is required in order to be considered for this vacancy.

To apply for this vacancy, click on the “Apply” link above and complete an electronic application, which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities. Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their application to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the Information section of the Current Job Opportunities page.

• Information to support your eligibility for the position must be included in the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education). Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.

For further information about this vacancy, contact:

Garilyn London

OJJ/ Human Resources

Garilyn.London@la.gov

In the supplemental questions section, applicants must authorize the HR Office of Juvenile Justice to contact prior employers to check references under the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) to be considered for employment.

The Office of Juvenile Justice is a State as a Model Employer (SAME) agency that supports improved employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. For more information on employment-related resources available for those with disabilities, refer to the Louisiana Employment Resource Guide.

If you are contacted for an interview, please let us know at that time if you will need special accommodations.

NOTE: Prior to an appointment, the selected applicant must take and pass a drug screening test, possess a valid Louisiana Driver's License, and clear a background check.